The New American Standard In Bathrooms

Bathroom Remodel: Coachella Valley Master Bathroom Gets Rusticly Modern Make-Over

Lynn Wallace of Kitchens and Baths By Lynn is making a splash with this new bathroom remodel. She is encouraging clients to use sustainable materials and anti-bacterial surfaces. Why? Because it is the new American standard in living. Sustainability, personal wellness, and self-sufficiency is the "new normal".

These homeowners are wise to get rid of ceramic tile countertops that harbor germs, bacteria and viruses in the grout. Carpet in the bathroom? According to ProTech Carpet Care, "Carpet May Hold up to 200,000 Bacteria Per Square Inch. That is about 4000 times more than your toilet." That isn't even taking into consideration mold, food, and debris from shoes and pets. If it is in your carpet, it is in your air indoor air which can be 8-10 times worse than outdoor air quality. Consider what that can mean for your health. 

We have all heard about dust mites, asthma and allergies associated with wall to wall carpeting. Then there is mold, eye irritants, headaches, and respiratory conditions associated with carpet. Consider the consequences of the respiratory conditions that can be directly linked to carpet. For an in depth description from multiple academic studies the US National Library of Medicine has a table that lays it all out for you. Add to that a pandemic virus that attacks the respiratory system, carpet in the bathroom is working against your health. Hard surfaces that can be cleaned and sanitized are a much safer bet. Lynn put together a collection of surfaces for the homeowner that are not only beautiful but healthier too. 

Another critical change that Lynn made to this bathroom is removing the bathtub. If soaking is your "thing" by all means, keep it. If not, it is just taking up valuable real estate. Many of Lynn's clients haven't used their tub in months if not years. Why keep it? Most city and building codes require a minimum of 1 bathtub per residence. For those who plan on this being their #ForeverHome a walk in shower is a must. It is just a matter of deciding on which stays and which goes based on your number of bathrooms. In this case, the master bath is out with tub and in with the walk-in shower. To make the most of this investment, here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• The opening into the shower should be at least 36" clear.
• A linear drain is favorable to keep the floor level and stable for a shower chair
• Reinforced walls for future installation of grab bars.
• Go curbless. Curbs are a tripping hazard. According to the CDC the following resulted from falls; 95% of hip fractures, in 2015 over $50 billion of medical care costs (75% of which Medicare and Medicaid paid for), 800,000 people over the age of 15 are treated annually, 300,000 of 800,000 are elderly, and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.
• Bidet or bidet seats are your friend. Whether you are sick with the flu or caring for an elderly parent, you will thank yourself for this investment.
• Touchless taps. How many times have you used your arm or wrist to turn on the faucet? They are typically water smart too. Good for you. Good for the environment.
• Connected Home. Again, great for the environment when it comes to water conservation. Great for that in-law suite too.

We are headed into a "New Normal" where sustainability and self-sufficiency are the name of the game. It is going to take interior architectural designers and kitchen and bath specialists like Lynn to help people transition their dwellings into personal Home-Health-Hubs. With that in mind, Lynn went straight to Cambria Surfaces for the stunning NSF-51

©️

food safe and antibacterial quartz for the countertop and shower. Choosing quartz over granite, onyx, marble and even wood can be tough. However, the reality is, when it comes to being non-porous, none of those materials hold a candle to Cambria quartz. Stainless steel, laminate and solid surface are the only ones that rank. As one of Cambria's premiere dealers, Lynn gets the best prices on their stunning designs. The icing on the cake when using Cambria? They are also made in the USA, sustainable and in alignment with best environmental practices. 

Dura Supreme Cabinets are also featured in this stunning bathroom. They are packing in the human and environmental benefits too. Dura Supreme; uses sustainable materials, is part of a reduce-reuse-recycle program, made in the USA, meets CARB (California Air Resource Board) standards, are certified under the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP), helps to manage the forests through their support of the Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF) who not only plant trees but use single-tree-selection as their method of harvesting. Who knew that your remodel is not only improving your life but, by participating with these companies, you are improving our collective environmental practices?

Check in with this blog post as the remodel continues. Discover how Lynn is helping these homeowners transition blah to beautiful and less-than-healthy to wellness. It is so easy to do, good for you and good for the planet.

WATCH THE FINAL REVEAL